Narrator: "And so it all begins. This boy's name is Yusuke. He's 14 years old and is supposed to be the hero of the story...but oddly enough, he's dead."

Yusuke: "Well, that wasn't normal. Okay Yusuke, just think; it's not like this is the first time you've been in a jam. Today did start off different. I went to school..."

Yusuke: "Hey, nice skirt."

Keiko: "All the girls have to wear these." [Yusuke throws a piece of gum up to catch it in his mouth, but Keiko catches it] "Just like all the boys have to wear blue jumpsuits, which I notice you're not."

Yusuke: "Oh gimme a break Keiko; I look better in green."

Keiko: "Maybe I'd be more tolerant, Yusuke, if I could see you in school more than once every ten days! You give our class a horrible attendance average, which gets me in trouble as a class representative, and plus you won't even be able to graduate middle school! Sometimes I think you don't care about anyone but yourself, and then you don't even do that right. You hear me?"

[Yusuke is behind Keiko, lifting up her skirt]

Yusuke: "Nice uniform. It's lacy."

[Keiko slaps Yusuke, sending him flying]

Keiko: [yelling] "Yusuke, you perv! People like you should be strung up in the street! Dumb boy! Hasn't grown up a bit since he was 4 years old!"

Keiko's Friend 1: "Aren't you just terrified of what he might do to you? Or even worse, what people might say of it?"

Keiko: "Not really. He just wants you to think he's dangerous. On the inside he's more like a lamb."

Keiko's Friend 2: "Yeah, but you haven't heard the latest news about him, Keiko. He's super tough, and he kills for fun!"

Keiko: "Besides, Yusuke couldn't order around two people, let alone 2,000. He doesn't have many friends."

Keiko's Friend 1: "Not what I heard."

Keiko's Friend 2: "Yeah, I think we would know."

Yusuke: "It figures that the one day I feel like going to school everyone wants to push on me and give me their stupid lectures! I hate that school. I hate this town!" [walks into his apartment and sees his mother, smoking in her pajamas] "Oh great, Mother of the Year."

Atsuko: "Get me coffee."

Yusuke: "Hey Kuwabara, you're conscious. I'm not used to that!"

Kuwabara: "That was a cheap shot last time and I was only knocked out for a little bit, okay? Now I'm back and I'm gonna beat your face up so bad even kittens won't look at you!"

Yusuke: "Plus, if you were a real messenger of death, you'd take this more seriously. Like, how grim can you be when you say 'bingo?' You're supposed to wear a big black robe and look like a skeleton!"

Botan: "Now I understand what kind of person you are; it's in my guidebook! Rather than be scared or surprised, you yell a lot and tell me I don't know what I'm talking about."

Botan: "It's funny, Yusuke...none of us were expecting you to die today; you've thrown us all for a loop. Run someone with your credentials through that scenario a thousand times and they never would've saved a kid like that. No one saw it coming and quite frankly, we haven't prepared a place for you yet."

Yusuke: "Oh, gimme a freakin' break! Are you telling me you guys were expecting that little boy to die?"

Botan: "Well, I wasn't going to tell you this because I knew it would make you even more irritable, but without the confusion caused by you running into the street, that boy would've actually missed the car and escaped with one less scrape on his right shoulder."

Yusuke: "What? But he was headed right for him!"

Botan: "Yes...well, the driver would have veered to the left. In other words, your death was a complete and utter waste!"

Yusuke: [attending his own wake] "Whoa, all my classmates are here. Just like I thought, look at 'em laughing! They probably just came over here 'cause they were getting extra credit!"

[at Yusuke's wake]

Komada: "Come on, let's go back! This isn't right!"

Kuwabara: "Shut up! Let go of me, wouldja?"

Yusuke: "What? Kuwabara?!"

Kuwabara: [entering Yusuke's apartment while being restrained by his friends and screaming at his picture]"Damn you! You think you can just back out 'cause you're scared!"

Okubo: "Kuwabara, this place is for mourning!"

Kuwabara: "I'm not gonna leave! Not until he comes out here and lets me fight him!"

Okubo: "He can't do that!"

Kuwabara: "I'm gonna beat you down, you punk! You hear me?" [his voice breaks as he tries to hit the picture] "Who do you think you are, huh? Dirty punk! Who am I gonna fight now? Who am I gonna fight?"

Okubo: "He's gone!"

Kuwabara: "No!" [throws a punch at the picture, but stops inches before he hits it, sobbing] "You're supposed to be here...for me."

Takenaka: "At first I was so surprised, Yusuke...to hear you'd saved a kid at the cost of your own life. You've always acted more selfishly than that. Darn. Yusuke, I don't know why I don't feel like speaking well of you." [begins to cry] "Why didn't you stay? You could have made something great out of yourself!"

Little Boy: "Mommy, do you think it'd be okay if I played with that boy tomorrow, if I'm good?"

Mother: "No, son."

Little Boy: "I know some people sounded angry at him, but he's really nice. He made really funny faces at me too, and he got me my ball! I don't know why those people were crying like that. It was probably because they wanted to play with him, too."

Botan: [hitting Yusuke] "Hey, are you trying to make me look stupid? Tell him how honored you are!"

Yusuke: [laughing] "That's a good one, Botan, but let's be serious, okay?"

Botan: "Why would I lie about something like this, you moron?"

Yusuke: [still laughing, pointing at Koenma] "Why would the Spirit World be run by a toddler?"

Botan: [slapping Yusuke's hand] "Don't point your finger at him!"

Yusuke: "And to think I was scared of the mighty King Yama!"

Koenma: [clearing his throat] "Well to be more exact, I am the mighty Koenma, and I am the son of King Yama. Even though I appear to be a child, I have been around over fifty times longer than you have, so watch your mouth when you speak to me."

Yusuke: "So it takes hundreds of years to move past a diaper?"

Botan: [punching Yusuke in the head] "Can't you show an ounce of decency?!"

Koenma: "Actually, I'm proud to say that in addition to knowing the greatest secrets of the universe, I am also quite potty-trained."

Koenma: "Your ordeal will be what is inside of it, and I assure you, it won't be a chicken. Hatch this egg, and face what comes out."

Yusuke: "So what's the trick? Do I do something to hatch it?"

Koenma: "No, no, not at all. You only have to keep it with you. This is a Spirit Beast, and it feeds off the energy emitted from your soul. This will be a true and constant test of your character. The things you do and feel will change the monster inside for better...or for worse. If, as would be expected from your files, your spirit is wicked and cruel, then the beast that hatches will be the same way. It will devour you, and you'll be lost forever. This, as you might imagine, is a very painful experience. However, if the energy you emit is good and true, then so will be the Spirit Beast. It will take care of you and guide you back into your living body. Of course, if it sounds too risky, you can opt out and remain as a ghost. The choice, Yusuke Urameshi, is yours."

[Yusuke reaches out, hesitates, then takes the proffered egg]

Keiko: [dreaming that Yusuke's leaving and she's running to catch up with him] "Yusuke! Yusuke, wait!"

[Outside Keiko's dream, Yusuke watches her crying in her sleep]

Keiko: "Wait. Yusuke, wait."

Yusuke: [his ghost sitting on Keiko's chest] "Listen to me, Keiko. I need you to pull yourself together. I'm coming back! It's hard to explain, but I'm a ghost right now and I have to take care of this egg, and then I--"

Keiko: [mumbling] "Yusuke..."

Yusuke: "Hey, are you hearing me? This is important!"

Keiko: "You're heavy."

[Yusuke floats off of her in surprise]

Yusuke: [in Keiko's dream] "I need you to take care of my body until I come back. You've got to tell them not to cremate me. And tell my mom not to waste her life away because we're gonna be fine!"

Yusuke: [while possessing Kuwabara's body] "Pull it together, Yusuke! You found her, but now you've gotta convince her quick that you're not just some ugly weird guy with bruises on his face! No time, no time...okay, I've known her all my life. There's got to be something between us that only I would do!" [realizes what needs to be done] "Yeah!"

[Yusuke, still in possession of Kuwabara's body, sneaks up behind Keiko]

Keiko: "Whether or not I believe isn't the question. I knew it was you from the first time you spoke! I know! And it's not just your stupid gags or how you laugh. There's ways you move and speak that in a hundred years I wouldn't forget!"

Yusuke: [while possessing Kuwabara's body] "I know I've been a bum to you at times, but please wait for me!"

Keiko: "I will! I'd wait forever, Yusuke!"

Keiko: "Atsuko! Please, open the door!"

[Yusuke's mother opens the door, dressed in a black kimono]

Keiko: "Atsuko! I have to tell you about Yusuke! He...he might be coming back!"

Atsuko: "He already has."

Keiko: "Huh?"

Atsuko: "I opened his coffin again because, well, I was going to smack him one more time for leaving me, but then I saw...Yusuke's cheeks have some color! His skin is slightly warm! His heart is beating. It's slow, but...my boy's alive!"

Akashi: [addressing Kuwabara and his gang] "Mm-hmm! As far as causing trouble's concerned, you boys keep topping yourselves! Attacking a trio of older boys from Kazenaga Junior High who, according to their mothers, were quite harmless!" [slamming his hand down on the desk] "Unacceptable! Here at Sarayashiki Junior High we have a thing called accountability!"

Komada: [after Akashi tells them that they cannot fight for one full week or Okubo will lose his part-time job] "Can you make it shorter? How about two hours?" [is pushed back by Kuwabara] "That seems fair, right?"

Kuwabara: "If you want one week, then you got it!"

Kirishima: "But can you do that, Kuwabara?"

Komada: "Three hours! Ask for three!"

Akashi: "I don't know which boost to the school's reputation I like best: kicking out Kuwabara or having Yusuke die on his own!"

Yusuke: "I always said those teachers were out to get me! I'm surprised they didn't run me over themselves!"

Botan: "Kuwabara's so loyal to his friends; I'll have to make a note."

Yusuke: [mocking Botan] "Oh yes, he's so brave." [normally] "You just wait, Botan. This little promise of his won't last for long."

Botan: "You don't think that Kuwabara--"

Yusuke: "Huh?"

[the pair see Akashi trailing Kuwabara on his way home]

Akashi: "Those boys should be arriving any minute now."

Yusuke: "Mr. Akashi? Gee, doesn't this guy have a life besides tormenting kids?"

[the three punks from Kazenaga accost Kuwabara]

Kazenaga Punk 1: "Kuwabara, we've been waiting!"

Kuwabara: "Now's really not the time!" [starts running away]

Kazenaga Punk 1: "What is this, Kuwabara? Are you actually running away like a sissy?"

Okubo: "Yeah, I got a thirty-nine, so if I try a little harder I'll be good. We're gonna be okay, right Kuwabara? What did you get?"

Kuwabara: "I got a...A SEVEN!"

[the other boys fall over in shock]

Yusuke: "Well what do you know, Kuwabara is stupider than I am!"

Botan: "What did you make on your last test?"

Yusuke: [proudly] "I got a twelve."

Yusuke: [perched on the back of Kuwabara's chair] "It's a good thing I came over to check on him; he's fallen asleep in the final inning!" [gently shaking him] "Hey, Kuwabara! Kuwabara! Wake up and study, doofus! Your test is tomorrow! Ah, seems he's out for good...guess I'll have to show up in his dream."

[inside Kuwabara's dream]

Kuwabara: [seeing Yusuke] "Urameshi! You've come back for a fight, huh? Well, I'm gonna make cat food out of you!"

Kuwabara: [yanking the book out of Yusuke's hands] "Gimme! I was just studying this before you showed up."

[time passes, and Yusuke is holding the book now, quizzing Kuwabara]

Yusuke: "Why is the color of blood red?"

Kuwabara: "Because of all the red blood cells! They color it. That's easy."

Yusuke: "But what's the pigment?"

Kuwabara: "Hemoglobin! I forgot!"

[outside Kuwabara's dream]

Yusuke: "And what causes your blood to clot?"

Kuwabara: [mumbling in his sleep] "Plate...lets..."

Yusuke: [nodding] "Yes...good, good."

Akashi: [grading Kuwabara's test] "This can't be right! That garbage-brain actually scored more than fifty points!" [to himself] "If that brat had only missed one more question...! Now he's thrown the whole plan into the sewer!"

Iwamoto: [tapping Akashi on the shoulder] "Let me show you a different method of grading." [erasing one of Kuwabara's answers] "You see, Mr. Akashi? There really wasn't an answer written there. You've made a mistake."

Akashi: "Yes, I see."

[Akashi has just given back Kuwabara's doctored test]

Kuwabara: [in disbelief] "No! That's wrong!"

Akashi: "And what's really painful is that you were so close! But I'm afraid a promise is a promise, young man. I'll go notify Okubo's employers."

Kuwabara: "But I checked it!"

Akashi: "Oh well. I guess there are many things you can't do right." [walks away]

Kuwabara: [thinking] "I know this isn't right! I checked all the answers myself!" [notices the answer that Akashi erased] "I...I don't believe it! That no-good teacher erased my last answer! Who does he think he is?!" [runs after Akashi in a rage] "I'll show you!"

[Kuwabara charges Akashi and grabs him by his collar, cocking his fist back to strike]

Yusuke: [yelling and grabbing Kuwabara's wrist] "Kuwabara, stop! I don't know if you can hear me, but I'm gonna say this! Just remember Okubo! All the poundings you took for him! Punch this teacher, and all that's erased! Kuwabara!"

[Kuwabara hesitates, then lets go of Akashi]

[Akashi is laughing on the floor as Kuwabara trudges away, disappointed at his test score]

Takenaka: "Yes, and I think if someone had corrupted my answer sheet the way that you and Mr. Iwamoto did to that boy, I would've wrung your neck too!"

Akashi: [taken aback] "But wait! I don't know what you mean!"

Takenaka: [grabbing Akashi by the collar] "I'm sure that you know how precious the honor system is at this junior high so I'd appreciate it greatly if you didn't lie to my face! Now, you're going to correct that score immediately!"

Sayaka: "Now are we absolutely certain that Keiko wants Yusuke to come back to life again? After all, there's a great deal of manpower involved in making one of these life recoveries run smoothly. There's no point in doing it if the people closest to you don't care!"

Yusuke: "Hey, look. This ordeal thing wasn't my idea, so don't throw me a guilt trip. And as for Keiko, how am I supposed to know? It's clear that if she had any sense she'd want me gone."

Botan: "She wants you back."

Yusuke: "You think so?" [squishes his face with his hands, mocking Keiko] "She always looks at me like this. 'Hey Yusuke, come to school!' 'Hey Yusuke, that's not the right uniform!'" [takes his hands away] "Yeah, she probably just wants me around so she can yell at me and get a better reputation with her teachers."

Botan: "Why do you say things you don't mean? You know she only scolds you because she actually cares about you. Sayaka, I've learned not to listen to him most of the time. He's just embarrassed, is all. He's got the cutest crush on Keiko!"

Yusuke: "Botan! Why don't you nail your stupid mouth shut?!"

Botan: "Why don't you get over your stupid cuties and admit that you like her, Yusuke?!"

Sayaka: "Hmm...smart, athletic, friendly but stern with her friends...her scores are next to perfect! This attraction between Yusuke and Keiko must obviously be one-sided."

Yusuke: "I can hear you."

Sayaka: "The house is on fire."

Botan: "Yes, it seems so."

Yusuke: "My house is on fire! My mom didn't even have the decency to lock the windows for me!"

Botan: "Yusuke, uh, maybe we should focus on other things."

Yusuke: "Keiko, forget about me! You're a lot more important to this world than I am! Don't be stupid! Go back!"

Yusuke: "What's the point of being alive if Keiko has to get killed for it?"

Yusuke: "Botan! Please, there's gotta be something I can do!"

Botan: "I'm sorry, Yusuke. I've tried everything in my power."

Sayaka: "There is one way...but you may not be willing to do it."

Yusuke: "I'll decide that for myself! Tell me!"

Sayaka: "You can save her life by using the power that's been gathered by the Spirit Beast you've been carrying with you."

Yusuke: "What?" [pulls out the egg] "You mean this little guy?"

Sayaka: "Throw it in the fire, and it will unleash from the egg and save her."

Yusuke: "And that's all I have to do? Why didn't you say so?"

Sayaka: "But if you hatch the Spirit Beast now, before it's ready, it won't be able to perform its usual duties."

Botan: "So does that mean...if he saves Keiko's life, the beast won't be able to bring Yusuke back?"

Sayaka: "Right. Yusuke will never have a chance to be alive in this world again."

Yusuke: "So my life for hers, huh? I wish someone had told me this morning that I'd make this kind of choice."

Sayaka: "Your time is short, I'm afraid."

Yusuke: [looking at the egg in his hand] "Oh well...it was a good dream." [turns and throws the egg into the fire] "KEIKO!!"

Kuwabara: "WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YUSUKE'S BODY?!"

Keiko: "I promise I'll tell you everything, but not right now. We've got to get him somewhere safe."

Kuwabara: "ARE YOU SOME TYPE OF SICK GRAVE-ROBBER?!" [throws Yusuke's body over his shoulder and grabs Keiko's hand, running down the street] "Well, come on! We can't let the police get a hold of you!"

Botan: "Yusuke...things aren't going to be so easy on you for a while. You can't just wander around here anymore; I'll have to take you back. I don't know who Keiko will love in the future, but you cannot interfere. There's no point in her saving her heart for someone she will never have...like you."

[After Yusuke gives up his Spirit Beast, his mother and his friends are talking to his body, thinking he's coming back]

Yusuke: [angrily] "This is so stupid! Isn't someone gonna tell them that they're just talking to a dead body? Stop apologizing, Mom, I'll never be around to say it's okay! I'm dead for good!"

Botan: "It's so sad."

Sayaka: "It can't be helped. He made this decision on his own."

Yusuke: "Okay Botan, just take me to Heaven or Hell or wherever it is I'm going. I'm tired of being here."

Koenma: "Yusuke, you've shown to have more character than I thought. I've been trying to figure out whether people around you really want you back. Contrary to my personal opinion, they actually do. More importantly, you've exhibited astounding potential to be a decent human being. Because this trait is so rare, I've decided to give you another chance. In retrospect, it was a very good thing you threw this egg into the fire. If you had allowed it to hatch, the Spirit Beast, which had been feeding off your constant negative energy, would not have been a pretty sight. It would have bitten your head off. But as you and I know, that's not what happened. You threw the egg into the fire without hesitation, saving Keiko's life at the cost of your own. You have a special quality buried underneath all that crap, and your added experience with death could make you very useful."

Koenma: "Well, that's the best case scenario. There is a small problem: the frequencies of your wavelengths, interestingly enough, are lower than most people. If you miss this chance tomorrow, you'll have to wait awhile to realign."

Yusuke: "What are we talking about, like weeks or months?"

Koenma: "Fifty-two years."

Yusuke: [aghast] "Fifty-two years?!"

Koenma: "Yes, but I think it would be wise if you tried to do it tomorrow instead, and in order for that to happen you'll need someone in the Living World who cares about you at least a little bit to donate their life energy."

Yusuke: "You mean like a human sacrifice?"

Koenma: "Are you kidding? I'm not evil. They must give it to you...through the lips!" [seeing Yusuke's horrified expression] "I don't see what's surprising about that; haven't you heard of mouth-to-mouth resuscitation?"

Kuwabara: [waking up screaming] "It's terrifying! I didn't know nightmares could be so bad!"

[in his dream, Kuwabara held Yusuke's glowing body and kissed him]

Kuwabara: [screaming again] "GAH!"

Yusuke: "Come on Kuwabara, get your head out of that damn game and listen to me! I don't want you to think I'm weird or anything, but please please please just kiss me!"

Koenma: "Five more minutes. What will you do if she doesn't make it in time?"

Yusuke: "The only thing I can do: wait around another fifty years. Then I'll go see Keiko when she's an old hag!"

[Keiko has kissed Yusuke just as the clock struck twelve, but he doesn't wake up]

Thug 2: [clenches one hand into a fist] "Who else would we be threatening, buddy?"

[Yusuke gets misty-eyed and holds Thug 2's fist in his hands]

Yusuke: "I can talk trash to people and even touch them! To be alive is a wonderful thing!" [sighs happily and walks off]

Thug 2: "How dare you! You can't touch me!"

Thug 1: "Leave 'im alone; it ain't right to mess with the crazies."

[Kuwabara has been blackmailed into stealing merchandise, which goes against his honor code]

Kuwabara: [entering the coffee shop with his gang] "Eikichi! Eikichi, where are you?"

Sakamoto: "She's safe here with me. Now let's see what you've got there."

[Kuwabara takes three comic books out of a bag and throws them on the table]

Kuwabara: "There. I got you several kinds; I didn't know what you liked."

Sakamoto: "Well isn't that very interesting, Kuwabara." [holds up a small piece of paper] "Didn't know they gave receipts for stealing!"

Kuwabara: "What difference does it make? I gave you the comic books, now give me Eikichi!"

Sakamoto: "Fool. You've missed the point entirely. I was trying to teach you the thrill of stealing things. This is not what we agreed upon! Now apologize. You heard me. Get on your knees and apologize for being wrong."

Okubo: "Never!"

Komada: "Don't push it, Sakamoto!"

Kuwabara: "Quiet!" [falls to his hands and knees]

Okubo: "Kuwabara, don't!"

Kuwabara: "I'm...sorry, Sakamoto. I was wrong."

Rugafuji Punk 1: "What's that? You were mumbling."

Kuwabara: "I'm sorry I was wrong!"

[the Rugafuji punks laugh]

Yusuke: [in another booth, thinking to himself] "Whoa! This Eikichi girl must be something special to make him sink that low."

Rugafuji Punk 1: "You're pathetic."

Rugafuji Punk 2: "You might as well give us your backbone, too."

Rugafuji Punk 3: [pulling a kitten out of a bag] "I just can't believe you're doing all that for a retarded fuzzball!"

Kuwabara: "Eikichi!"

[Yusuke falls over in shock]

Rugafuji Punk 1: "It's...that guy! It's Yusuke Urameshi!"

Kuwabara: "You...you've really come back from the dead!"

Yusuke: "That's right, and I'm in the mood for a relaxing throwdown!"

Yusuke: [handing Eikichi to Kuwabara] "Here! Hold this guy, wouldja?"

Kuwabara: "Hey! It's a she!"

Mysterious Fortuneteller: "You have all that's required to be detective of the Spirit World."

Kurama:[laughs softly] It's his way of saying "you're welcome". You will learn.

Genbu: I am Genbu, of the Four Saint Beasts. Do you have a request before you die?

Yusuke: Yeah, tell me how a beast is a saint. I'm lost.

Kuwabara: He's a rock, Urameshi! How are we supposed to fight against a talking rock!?

Hiei:[to Yusuke] Obviously, you are underestimating Kurama. Do you know why I chose him to be my partner? To avoid fighting him myself. Watch. He's more cutthroat than I am when it comes to battle and unbelivably precise.

Hiei: I don't give a damn about their internal disputes. The only important thing is how strong they are. I've fought my share of Ice Warriors. Seriyu, the Blue Dragon fell to my sword quickly enough, but he was no master; he was a fool who thought he could get by on half of his lessons. But if there is any true Ice Master, anyone who completed the full training that his master intended and knows the art of ice...it is Touya.

Touya:[thinking] This doesn't make sense. No one can survive all those direct hits from my ice attack, not unless...[gasps, then speaks aloud to Kurama] You really are dangerous, aren't you? I haven't been making direct hits. You've been blocking your vital points with your own body. You must be very old...experienced...perhaps as I am.

Touya:[walking forward] Risho! [painfully climbs into the ring] This deceit has gone too far. Don't you see we'll make a mockery of their sacrifices? [flashes back to Gama's death] Gama willfully gave his life for us to win...not cheat our way out.

Risho:[scoffs] Spare me your romantic drivel, Touya. [Touya hisses under his breath] He fought for the light. Now we're going to enjoy it.

Touya: But honor!

Risho:[forms a wristband of earth] Nonsense! [strikes Touya, sending him flying out of the ring and onto the grass] We must always keep our eye on the final goal, Touya. That's why I am the leader...and you are the grunt. [Touya gives Risho a disgusted look before passing out]]

Genkai "One more thing before I give you your test. Give me your hands I have to prepare your body."

Yusuke "This isn't another trick is it?"

Genkai "Hold still and try not to cry. non omnis moriar abdura dolar ____ prefer doleen" [Need help but I think this generally means Not all of me will die, this will go to you,Be patient and tough; some day this pain will be useful. )

Yusuke "I don't know what your trying to pull but I am not into this kinky stuff, and your way too old!"

Kurama: "The footage must be provocative. I confess there was even a time when I wanted to see it." [seeing Yusuke's look] "Was, was."

Yusuke:[thinking] "Geez, he's making me paranoid."

Kurama: "Koenma knows the exact identity of our foe."

Yusuke: "He WHAT?!"

Kurama: "I've planned a formal meeting to..." [trails off when he notices Yusuke is gone]

Yusuke:[into Botan's briefcase] "Earth to toddler bitch! You better speak now before I forever put that pacifier ten inches down your throat!"

Kurama:[thinking] "Not quite what I planned."

Mitarai: "Have you ever seen hundreds of frightened people, waiting in line to be killed in a camp? Have you seen horsemen raid and destroy a village, dancing on the bodies of their victims while singing happy songs? Have you ever seen a gigantic bomb wipe away millions who have never even picked up a weapon?! A civil war, where a mom is hacked down in front of her child, or a child in front of his mom. And the soldier...breaking up a family who loves each other, leading them into a fire...and his eyes enjoying the torture."

Atsuko: You fool! Why? What were you thinking, Yusuke? No one gave you permission to die! You got hit by a car, strong people live through that! Were you mad at me, Yusuke, were you mad? Didn't I raise you good enough?

Atsuko: I just had the strangest dream about Yusuke. Yusuke was living in some other world full of ogres and he kept knocking them down until he became their leader. Sounds like him, doesn't it?

Shizuru: If you know, then why don't you act on it before you're a deadbeat loser like me?! I didn't help raise you for nothing, and if you keep fighting demons, you're on your own! So decide, the exam for the Maiken High School is coming up! You pass, or you get out!

I believe that anyone who draws has a desire to attract people with their art, but this is an ambition that I had suppressed for a long time. This is because back when I had just had my debut, my editor at the time had shown me a manga page by Hagiwara Kazushi (BASTARD!!). I felt that if I were honest with myself, my art would never be able to compete with something like this. But I was never able to throw away my ideal of being able to draw manga without help from other people. A few times during the run of YYH, I finished my manuscripts all by myself. All of these instances were when my stress levels were at their highest. I don't know if anyone will understand, but when I was stressed because I wasn't satisfied with my manga, the only way for me to relieve this stress was to draw all my manga by myself.

As a result, those chapters ended up horrible. Both the characters and the backgrounds were messy. The one shot Two Shots, Karasu vs. Kurama, Yusuke vs. Sensui, the scene where Yusuke meets Raizen, I drew most of those alone. The latter two were finished in half a day before my deadline, as a reader guessed and criticized in a letter. This might mean I fail as a professional, but I was satisfied. I had already started to think that no matter what anyone says, no matter how messy the finished pages are, I just wanted to draw this by myself, and I had no reason not to go through with it.

It saddens me to say this, but I had explored every possible direction for the YYH characters that I could in the context of a professional publication. All I could do at this point was to start deconstructing the characters, or go on repeating the same storylines over and over until the readers got bored. My attempts to deconstruct the characters were, of course, turned down by Jump. I didn't have the strength, physically and mentally, to keep doing the same thing over and over.